We describe the design and implementation of a collaborative,
computer-based finger painting program for children using a new hardware
input device called a Multi-Touch Surface (MTS). The MTS uses a flat surface
about the size of a keyboard to track multiple, simultaneous finger motions,
which we transform into paint strokes on a screen. We describe related work
and explain how our program design was guided by the suggestions of
children. We discuss the hardware and software of the MTS and the challenges
of designing our program. Finally, we present the Finger Painting Table, a
collaborative, embedded application built using the MTS, and discuss future
work.